In a surprising turn of events, China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu has reportedly been detained as part of an ongoing corruption investigation. This comes just months after the sudden disappearance of Foreign Minister Qin Gang. Speculation is mounting about the reasons behind these removals, as both officials were handpicked by President Xi Jinping and held prominent positions within the government.

While the exact reasons behind their removals remain unclear, some believe that the purges in the military's Rocket Force, which occurred around the same time as Qin's removal, may be linked to these cases. US officials, who believe Li is in detention, have imposed sanctions on him in the past.

The investigation into Li's alleged corruption raises questions about the effectiveness of President Xi's anti-corruption campaign within the military. Although Xi is seen as a powerful leader, these removals suggest there may be unresolved issues regarding his control over the military.

Nevertheless, Xi still maintains a firm grip on power and his loyalists hold key positions in the Communist Party leadership. However, these recent events have exposed the risks of such a centralized system and have raised questions about Xi's judgment in promoting officials who are now under scrutiny.

The investigation into Li's case may be a sign of more to come, as experts believe there may be deeper corruption issues within the Chinese military.